Use of complementary therapies in nursing homes: Descriptive study.

• Published in: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
• Main Authors: Gunnarsdottir, Thora Jenny, Vilhjalmsson, Runar, Hjaltadottir, Ingibjorg
• Other Authors: 1 Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Iceland. Electronic address: [e-mail]. 2 Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Iceland. Electronic address: [e-mail]. 3 Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Iceland; National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland. Electronic address: [e-mail].
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018
• Subjects: Complementary therapies; Nursing homes; Old people; Residents; Náttúrulækningar; Hjúkrunarheimili; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/620672; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.05.006

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files Complementary therapies may have positive effect on residents in nursing homes. The aim of this research was to investigate what kind of complementary therapies are provided in Icelandic nursing homes and who are the providers. Also whether the nursing homes need assistance to support the use of such therapies. A questionnaire was mailed to all the nursing homes in Iceland (N = 59). Total of forty-five nursing homes replied or 76% response rate. Registered nurses and licenced practical did most of the planning and provision of complementary therapies. The most common therapies were: heat packs, physical exercise and massage. Managers would like to have more knowledge and support in providing complementary therapies. The use of some complementary therapies is common in Icelandic nursing homes. More knowledge is needed to support the use of CT in Icelandic nursing homes. The Icelandic Nurse's Association University of Iceland Research Fund